Nitride phosphor, method for manufacturing the same, and light emitting device

ABSTRACT

A nitride phosphor having a composition containing Eu, Si, Al, N, and a group 2 element including at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba. In the composition, a ratio of a total molar content of the group 2 element and Eu to a molar content of Al is 0.8 or more and 1.1 or less, a molar ratio of Eu is 0.002 or more and 0.08 or less, a molar ratio of Si is 0.8 or more and 1.2 or less, and a total molar ratio of Si and Al is 1.8 or more and 2.2 or less. The nitride phosphor has a first peak in a range of 17° 2θ or more and 19° 2θ or less and a second peak in a range of 34° 2θ or more and 35.5° 2θ or less in a CuKα powder X-ray diffraction pattern.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese patent Application No.2021-098090, filed on Jun. 11, 2021, and Japanese patent Application No.2021-168122, filed on Oct. 13, 2021, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a nitride phosphor, a method forproducing the same, and a light emitting device.

Description of the Related Art

Light emitting devices obtained by combining light emitting diodes(hereinafter referred to as “LEDs”) and phosphors are actively appliedto lighting devices, backlights of liquid crystal display devices, etc.Examples of phosphors used in the light emitting devices include anitride phosphor having a composition containing nitrogen, and knownexamples thereof are a red phosphor using CaAlSiN₃ as a parent crystaland activated with Eu (hereinafter referred to as “CASN phosphor”) and(Sr, Ca)AlSiN₃:Eu having a portion of Ca of the CASN phosphor replacedwith Sr (hereinafter referred to as “SCASN phosphor”). The CASN phosphorand the SCASN phosphor had peak emission wavelengths included in a widerange from 600 nm to 670 nm depending on a composition thereof. Thesenitride phosphors are useful for improving color rendering properties oflighting devices (see, e.g., WO 2015/001860).

For example, in WO 2015/001860, a manufacturing method for adjusting acharged composition of a raw material for a phosphor is proposed as amethod for manufacturing a nitride phosphor for the purpose of improvingthe emission intensity.

SUMMARY

A first embodiment provides a nitride phosphor having a compositioncontaining Eu, Si, Al, N, and a group 2 element including at least oneselected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba, wherein in thecomposition, a ratio of a total molar content of the group 2 element andEu to a molar content of Al is 0.8 or more and 1.1 or less, a molarratio of Eu is 0.002 or more and 0.08 or less, a molar ratio of Si is0.8 or more and 1.2 or less, and a total molar ratio of Si and Al is 1.8or more and 2.2 or less. In the nitride phosphor, when a value isobtained by dividing a maximum value of peak intensity in a range of 34°2θ or more and 35.5° 2θ or less by a maximum value of peak intensity ina range of 17° 2θ or more and 19° 2θ or less in a powder X-raydiffraction pattern measured by using a CuKα ray, the value is 3.0 ormore and 5.5 or less.

A second embodiment provides a light emitting device including afluorescent member containing the nitride phosphor according to thefirst embodiment and a light emitting element having a peak emissionwavelength in a range of 365 nm or more and 500 nm or less.

A third embodiment provides a method for manufacturing a nitridephosphor having a composition containing Eu, Si, Al, N, and a group 2element including at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg,Ca, Sr, and Ba, the composition having a ratio of a total molar contentof the group 2 element and Eu to a molar content of Al of 0.8 or moreand 1.1 or less, a molar ratio of Eu of 0.002 or more and 0.08 or less,a molar ratio of Si of 0.8 or more and 1.2 or less, and a total molarratio of Si and Al of 1.8 or more and 2.2 or less. The method formanufacturing a nitride phosphor includes: performing a first heattreatment of a raw material mixture containing a group 2 element source,an Eu source, a Si source, and an Al source in a closed container madeof tungsten at a temperature of 1200° C. or higher and 1600° C. or lowerto obtain a first heat-treated product; and performing a second heattreatment of the first heat-treated product in a closed container madeof tungsten at a temperature of 1800° C. or higher and 2100° C. or lowerto obtain a second heat-treated product.

A fourth embodiment provides a method for manufacturing a nitridephosphor having a composition containing a group 2 element including Eu,Si, Al, N, and at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg,Ca, Sr, and Ba, the composition having a ratio of a total molar contentof the group 2 element and Eu to a molar content of Al of 0.8 or moreand 1.1 or less, a molar ratio of Eu of 0.002 or more and 0.08 or less,a molar ratio of Si of 0.8 or more and 1.2 or less, and a total molarratio of Si and Al of 1.8 or more and 2.2 or less. The method formanufacturing a nitride phosphor includes performing a heat treatment ofa raw material mixture containing a group 2 element source, an Eusource, a Si source, an Al source, and a metal fluoride in a closedcontainer made of tungsten at a temperature of 1800° C. or higher and2100° C. or lower to obtain a heat-treated product.

A fifth embodiment provides a nitride phosphor having a compositioncontaining Eu, Si, Al, N and a group 2 element including at least oneselected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba, wherein in thecomposition, a ratio of a total molar content of the group 2 element andEu to a molar content of Al is 0.8 or more and 1.1 or less, a molarratio of Eu is 0.002 or more and 0.08 or less, a molar ratio of Si is0.8 or more and 1.2 or less, and a total molar ratio of Si and Al is 1.8or more and 2.2 or less. The nitride phosphor has a first peak in arange of 17° 2θ or more and 19° 2θ or less and a second peak in a rangewhere 2θ is 34° 2θ or more and 35.5° 2θ or less in a powder X-raydiffraction pattern measured by using a CuKα ray; an intensity ratio ofthe second peak to the first peak is 1 or more and 6 or less; and ahalf-value width of the second peak is 0.09° 20 or more and less than0.1° 2θ.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic cross-sectional view showing anexemplary light emitting device.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of anitride phosphor according to Example 1.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary SEM image of a nitride phosphor according toComparative Example 1.

FIG. 4 shows exemplary X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of nitridephosphors according to Example 1. Comparative Example 1, and ComparativeExample 2.

FIG. 5 shows exemplary XRD patterns of nitride phosphors according toExample 2, Example 3, Comparative Example 3, and Comparative Example 4.

FIG. 6 shows exemplary XRD patterns of nitride phosphors according toExample 4, Example 5, and Comparative Example 5.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary schematic configuration diagram showing anexemplary configuration of a light emitting device.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary schematic configuration diagram showing anexemplary configuration of a light emitting device.

FIG. 9A is an exemplary schematic plan view of an exemplary wavelengthconversion member as viewed from a principal surface.

FIG. 9B is an exemplary schematic side view of the exemplary wavelengthconversion member as viewed from a side surface and a partially enlargedview thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term “step” as used herein comprises not only an independent stepbut also a step not clearly distinguishable from another step as long asthe intended purpose of the step is achieved. If multiple substancescorrespond to a component in a composition, the content of the componentin the composition means the total amount of the multiple substancespresent in the composition unless otherwise specified. An upper limitand a lower limit of a range of numerical values described herein canarbitrarily be selected and combined from the numerical values.Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described withreference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described belowexemplify a nitride phosphor and a method for manufacturing the same forembodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the presentinvention is not limited to the nitride phosphor and the method formanufacturing the same described below. A relationship between a colorname and a chromaticity coordinate, a relationship between a wavelengthrange of light and a color name of monochromatic light, etc. comply withJIS Z8110. If multiple substances correspond to a component in acomposition, the content of the component in the composition means thetotal amount of the multiple substances present in the compositionunless otherwise specified

Nitride Phosphor

A nitride phosphor has a composition containing a group 2 elementincluding at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr,and Ba, as well as Eu, Si, Al, and N. In the composition of the nitridephosphor, a ratio of the total molar content of the group 2 element andEu to a molar content of Al may be 0.8 or more and 1.1 or less; a ratioof a molar content of Eu may be 0.002 or more and 0.08 or less; a ratioof a molar content of Si may be 0.8 or more and 1.2 or less; and a ratioof a total molar content of Si and Al may be 1.8 or more and 2.2 orless. In the nitride phosphor, when a value is obtained by dividing amaximum value of peak intensity in a range of 34° 2θ or more and 35.5°2θ or less by a maximum value of peak intensity in a range of 17° 2θ ormore and 19° 2θ or less in a powder X-ray diffraction pattern measuredby using a CuKα ray, the value may be 3.0 or more and 5.5 or less.

The nitride phosphor having the composition may have a first peak in arange of 17° 2θ or more and 19° 2θ or less and a second peak in a rangeof 34° 2θ or more and 35.5° 2θ or less in a powder X-ray diffractionpattern measured by using a CuKα ray. In the nitride phosphor, anintensity ratio of the second peak to the first peak may be 1 or moreand 6 or less, and a half-value width of the second peak may be 0.09° 2θor more and less than 0.10 2θ.

The nitride phosphor having a specific composition and exhibiting aspecific powder X-ray diffraction pattern may exhibit higher emissionintensity. This is probably because performing a heat treatment in aspecific closed container in a manufacturing method described latersuppresses scattering of the raw material from the closed container usedfor the heat treatment and suppresses a reaction of the closed containerused for the beat treatment and the raw material so that the nitridephosphor is uniformly synthesized.

The nitride phosphor has a composition containing a group 2 elementincluding at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr,and Ba. The group 2 element contained in the composition of the nitridephosphor may contain at least one of Ca and Sr, and may contain at leastCa. A ratio of the total molar content of Ca and Sr to the total molarcontent of the group 2 element contained in the composition of thenitride phosphor may be, for example, 0.8 or more, preferably 0.9 ormore, and substantially only Ca and Sr may be contained. As used herein,the term “substantially” means that the inevitably mixed group 2 elementother than Ca and Sr are not excluded. The ratio of the molar content ofthe group 2 element other than Ca and Sr to the total molar content ofCa and Sr may be, for example, 0.1 or less, preferably 0.08 or less.

In the composition of the nitride phosphor, a ratio of the total molarcontent of the group 2 element and Eu to a molar content of Al ispreferably 0.94 or more and 1.1 or less, or 0.95 or more and 1.05 orless. In the composition of the nitride phosphor, a ratio of the molarcontent of Eu to the molar content of Al may be preferably 0.002 or moreand 0.08 or less, or 0.004 or more and 0.07 or less. In the compositionof the nitride phosphor, a ratio of a molar content of Si to a molarcontent of Al may be preferably 0.8 or more and 1.2 or less, or 0.9 ormore and 1.1 or less. In the composition of the nitride phosphor, aratio of the total molar content of Si and Al to a molar content of Alis preferably 1.8 or more and 2.2 or less, or 1.9 or more and 2.1 orless. The composition of the nitride phosphor may be obtained byfluorescent X-ray (XRF) analysis.

The nitride phosphor may have, for example, a composition represented byFormula (I).M^(a) _(s)Sr_(t)Eu_(u)Si_(v)Al_(w)N_(x)  (I)

In Formula (I), M^(a) is a group 2 element including at least oneselected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, and Ba, may contain atleast one of Ca and Sr, and may preferably contain at least Ca.Additionally, s, t, u, v, w, and x may satisfy 0<s<1, 0≤t<1,0.002≤u≤0.08, 0.8≤s+t+u≤1.1, 0.8≤v≤1.2, 0.8≤w≤1.2, 1.8≤v+w≤2.2,2.5≤x≤3.2. Furthermore, s, t, and u may satisfy 0.945≤+t+u≤1.10.

In the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern measured by using a CuKαray (wavelength: 1.54184 Å), the nitride phosphor may have the firstpeak in the range of 17° 2θ or more and 19° 2θ or less, preferably 17.5°2θ or more and 18.5° 2θ or less, and the second peak in the range of 34°2θ or more and 35.5° 2θ or less, preferably 34.5° 2θ or more and 35.0°2θ or less. The first peak may be a peak having a Miller index of (200),for example, and the second peak may be a peak having a Miller index of(002), for example. Assuming that the maximum value of the peakintensity of the first peak is I¹ and the maximum value of peakintensity of the second peak is I², a peak intensity ratio I²/I¹ may be,for example, 3 or more and 5.5 or less, preferably 3.05 or more and 5.4or less, or 3.1 or more and 5.3 or less. In one form, the peak intensityratio I²/I¹ may be, for example, 1 or more and 6 or less, preferably 1.2or more, 1.4 or more, or 1.6 or more, and preferably 5.8 or less, 5.6 orless, or 5.5 or less.

When the composition of the nitride phosphor has a ratio of the molarcontent of Sr to the total molar content of the group 2 element and Euof 0.85 or more, the peak intensity ratio I²/IV may be, for example, 1or more and 6 or less, preferably 1.5 or more and 5.8 or less, 2.5 ormore and 5.6 or less, or 3 or more and 5.6 or less. When the compositionof the nitride phosphor has a ratio of the molar content of Sr to thetotal molar content of the group 2 element and Eu of less than 0.85, thepeak intensity ratio I²/I¹ may be 1 or more and 5.5 or less, preferably1.5 or more and 3.5 or less.

The half-value width of the second peak may be, for example, 0.09° ormore and less than 0.10. The half-value width of the second peak may bepreferably 0.0930° or more, 0.0940° or more, or 0.0950° or more, andpreferably 0.0995° or less, 0.0990° or less, or 0.0988 or less. When thehalf-value width of the second peak is not more than a predeterminedvalue, higher emission intensity tends to be exhibited. This may beconsidered as follows, for example. When the half-value width of thesecond peak is not more than a predetermined value, this means that thecomposition is in a more uniform state in the crystal structure of thenitride phosphor, which probably improve the emission intensity. Ahalf-value width of a peak in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern meansa wavelength width (full width at half maximum; FWHM) of the powderX-ray diffraction pattern in which the emission intensity is 50% of themaximum emission intensity.

The powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the nitride phosphor measured byusing a CuKα ray may have a maximum peak in the range of 34° 2θ or moreand 37° 2θ or less, preferably 34.5° 2θ or more and 36.5° 2θ or less.

The volume average particle diameter of the nitride phosphor may be, forexample, 10 μm or more, and may be preferably 13 μm or more, or 15 μm ormore, from the viewpoint of luminous efficiency. The volume averageparticle diameter may be, for example, 30 μm or less, preferably 28 μmor less. When the volume average particle diameter of the nitridephosphor is larger, an absorption rate and luminous efficiency ofexcitation light tend to be higher. As described above, by applying thenitride phosphor having excellent optical characteristics to the lightemitting device described later, the luminous efficiency of the lightemitting device is further improved. Preferably, the nitride phosphorfrequently contains nitride phosphor particles having the volume averageparticle diameter value described above. Therefore, preferably, theparticle size distribution is distributed in a narrow range. By usingthe nitride phosphor having a small variation in particle sizedistribution, color unevenness is further suppressed and the lightemitting device having a better color tone may be obtained.

The volume average particle diameter of the nitride phosphor is measuredas a median diameter corresponding to a volume accumulation of 50% fromthe short diameter side in the particle size distribution by measuringthe particle size distribution using a particle size distributionmeasuring device based on a pore electrical resistance method(electrical sensing zone method) based on the Coulter principle.

The nitride phosphor may have a peak emission wavelength in a range of600 nm or more and 675 nm or less. The peak emission wavelength of thenitride phosphor may be preferably 605 nm or more, or 610 nm or more,and preferably 670 nm or less, or 665 nm or less.

Method for Manufacturing Nitride Phosphor

A method for manufacturing a nitride phosphor may comprise heat-treatinga raw material mixture containing a group 2 element source, an Eusource, a Si source, and an Al source at a temperature of 1800° C. orhigher and 2100° C. or lower in a closed container made of tungsten toobtain a heat-treated product.

The nitride phosphor manufactured by the method for manufacturing anitride phosphor may have a composition containing a group 2 elementincluding at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr,and Ba, as well as Eu, Si, Al, and N, and may have a composition inwhich a ratio of the total molar content of the group 2 element and Euto the molar content of Al may be 0.8 or more and 1.1 or less, a ratioof the total molar content of Eu to the molar content of Al may be 0.002or more and 0.08 or less, a ratio of the molar content of Si to themolar content of Al may be 0.8 or more and 1.2 or less, and the ratio ofthe total molar content of Si and Al to the molar content of Al may be1.8 or more and 2.2 or less. The manufactured nitride phosphor may bethe nitride phosphor described above.

By heat-treating the raw material mixture in a closed container made oftungsten at a predetermined temperature, the nitride phosphor capable ofexhibiting higher emission intensity may efficiently be manufactured.

The raw material mixture used in the method for manufacturing a nitridephosphor may contain the group 2 element source containing at least oneselected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba, an Eu source,a Si source, and an Al source.

The group 2 element in the group 2 element source contained in the rawmaterial mixture is at least one selected from the group consisting ofMg, Ca, Sr, and Ba, may contain at least one of Ca and Sr, and maycontain at least Ca.

Examples of the group 2 element source include a metal compoundcontaining the group 2 element, a metal simple substance containing thegroup 2 element, and an alloy containing the group 2 element. Examplesof the metal compound containing the group 2 element include hydrides,oxides, hydroxides, nitrides, oxynitrides, chlorides, amide compounds,imide compounds, etc. containing the group 2 element, and hydrides,nitrides, etc. are preferable. The group 2 element source may containLi, Na, K, B, Al, etc.

The metal compound containing a group 2 element may be purchased andprepared, or a metal compound containing a desired group 2 element maybe manufactured and prepared. For example, calcium nitride may beobtained by pulverizing calcium as a raw material in an inert gasatmosphere and heat-treating the obtained powder in a nitrogenatmosphere for nitriding. The heat treatment temperature is, forexample, 600° C. or higher and 900° C. or lower, and the heat treatmenttime is, for example, 1 hour or more and 20 hours or less. The obtainedcalcium nitride may be subjected to a pulverizing treatment in an inertgas atmosphere, for example. Strontium nitride may be obtained in thesame manner as calcium nitride; however, unlike the case of calciumnitride, an amount of nitrogen contained may be changed depending on amanufacturing condition.

The purity of the group 2 element source (e.g., a metal compoundcontaining a group 2 element) is, for example, 95 wt % or more,preferably 99.5 wt % or more. By setting the purity to a predeterminedvalue or more, an influence of impurities may be reduced, and theemission intensity of the nitride phosphor may further be improved.

Examples of the Eu source contained in the raw material mixture includea europium compound, a metal simple substance of europium, and aeuropium alloy. Examples of the europium compound include oxides,hydroxides, nitrides, oxynitrides, fluorides, chlorides, etc. containingeuropium. Specific examples of the europium compound include europiumoxide (Eu₂O₃), europium nitride (EuN), europium fluoride (EuF₃), etc.,and it is preferable to use at least one selected from the groupconsisting of these compounds. Since europium nitride (EuN) is composedonly of the elements of the intended phosphor composition, mixing ofimpurities may more effectively be suppressed. Europium oxide (Eu₂O₃)and europium fluoride (EuF₃) may act as a flux and are preferably used.The europium compound may be used alone, or two or more europiumcompounds may be used in combination.

The europium compound may be purchased and prepared, or a desiredeuropium compound may be manufactured and used. For example, europiumnitride may be obtained by pulverizing europium as a raw material in aninert gas atmosphere and heat-treating the obtained powder in a nitrogenatmosphere or an ammonia atmosphere for nitriding. An average particlediameter of the pulverized europium is, for example, 0.1 μm or more and10 μm or less. The heat treatment temperature is, for example, 600° C.or higher and 1200° C. or lower, and the heat treatment time is, forexample, 1 hour or more and 20 hours or less. The obtained europiumnitride may be subjected to a pulverizing treatment in an inert gasatmosphere, for example.

The raw material mixture may be a mixture in which at least a portion ofthe Eu source is replaced with a metal compound, a metal simplesubstance, an alloy, etc. of a rare earth element such as scandium (Sc),yttrium (Y), lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium(Nd), samarium (Sm), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy),holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and lutetium(Lu). Examples of the metal compound include oxides, hydroxides,nitrides, oxynitrides, fluorides, chlorides, etc.

The purity of the Eu source (e.g., the europium compound) is, forexample, 95 wt % or more, preferably 99.5 wt % or more. By setting thepurity to a predetermined value or more, the adverse effect due to thepresence of impurities may be reduced, and the emission intensity of thephosphor may further be improved.

Examples of the Si source contained in the raw material mixture includea silicon compound, a silicon simple substance, and a silicon alloy.Examples of the silicon compound include oxides, hydroxides, nitrides,oxynitrides, fluorides, chlorides, etc. containing silicon. Specificexamples of the silicon compound include silicon oxide, silicon nitride,silicon oxynitride, silicate, etc., it is preferable to use at least oneselected from the group consisting of these compounds, and siliconnitride is more preferable. Since silicon nitride is composed only ofthe elements of the intended phosphor composition, mixing of impuritiesmay more effectively be suppressed. For example, as compared to asilicon compound containing oxygen or hydrogen, silicon nitride mayreduce an influence of these elements, and does not require a nitridingreaction as compared to a metal simple substance. The silicon compoundmay be used alone, or two or more silicon compounds may be used incombination.

The silicon compound may be purchased and prepared, or a desired siliconcompound may be manufactured and used. For example, silicon nitride maybe obtained by pulverizing silicon as a raw material in an inert gasatmosphere and heat-treating the obtained powder in a nitrogenatmosphere for nitriding. The heat treatment temperature is, forexample, 800° C. or higher and 2000° C. or lower, and the heat treatmenttime is, for example, 1 hour or more and 20 hours or less. The obtainedsilicon nitride may be pulverized in an inert gas atmosphere, forexample.

The raw material mixture may be a mixture in which at least a portion ofthe Si source is replaced with a metal compound, a metal simplesubstance, an alloy, etc. of a group 4 or group 14 element such asgermanium (Ge), tin (Sn), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), and hafnium(Hf). Examples of the metal compound include oxides, hydroxides,nitrides, oxynitrides, fluorides, chlorides, etc.

The purity of the Si source (e.g., the silicon compound) is, forexample, 95 wt % or more, preferably 99 wt % or more. By setting thepurity to a predetermined value or more, the influence of impurities maybe reduced, and the emission intensity of the phosphor may further beimproved.

Examples of the Al source contained in the raw material mixture includean aluminum compound, an aluminum metal simple substance, and analuminum alloy. Examples of the aluminum compound include oxides,hydroxides, nitrides, oxynitrides, fluorides, chlorides, etc. containingaluminum. Specific examples of the aluminum compound include aluminumnitride (AlN), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)₃),etc., it is preferable to use at least one selected from the groupconsisting of these compounds, and aluminum nitride is more preferable.Since aluminum nitride is composed only of the elements of the intendedphosphor composition, mixing of impurities may more effectively besuppressed. For example, as compared to an aluminum compound containingoxygen or hydrogen, aluminum nitride may reduce an influence of theseelements, and does not require a nitriding reaction as compared to ametal simple substance. The aluminum compound may be used alone, or twoor more silicon compounds may be used in combination.

The aluminum compound may be purchased and prepared, or a desiredaluminum compound may be manufactured and used. For example, aluminumnitride may be manufactured by a direct nitriding method of aluminumetc.

The raw material mixture may be a mixture in which at least a portion ofthe Al source is replaced with a metal compound, a metal simplesubstance, an alloy, etc. of a group 13 element such as gallium (Ga) andindium (In), a group 5 element such as vanadium (V), a group 6 elementsuch as chromium (Cr), or a group 9 element such as cobalt (Co).Examples of the metal compound include oxides, hydroxides, nitrides,oxynitrides, fluorides, chlorides, etc.

The purity of the Al source (e.g., the aluminum compound) is, forexample, 95 wt % or more, preferably 99 wt % or more. By setting thepurity to a predetermined value or more, the influence of impurities maybe reduced, and the emission intensity of the phosphor may further beimproved.

The raw material mixture may further contain at least one type of metalfluoride. When the raw material mixture further contains at least onetype of metal fluoride, the nitride phosphor capable of exhibitinghigher emission intensity tends to be obtained.

The metal fluoride may contain at least one selected from the grouppreferably consisting of a metal fluoride containing a group 2 element,a metal fluoride containing a rare earth element, a metal fluoridecontaining a group 4 or group 14 element, and a metal fluoridecontaining a group 13 element.

The group 2 element in the metal fluoride may contain at least oneselected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba, preferably atleast one of Sr and Ca, more preferably at least Ca. When the rawmaterial mixture contains at least one type of metal fluoride containinga group 2 element, the metal fluoride containing a group 2 element maybe a portion of the group 2 element source. Therefore, a portion of thegroup 2 element source may be replaced with the metal fluoridecontaining a group 2 element.

When a portion of the group 2 element source is replaced with the metalfluoride containing a group 2 element, a ratio of a molar amount of themetal fluoride containing a group 2 element to a molar amount of thegroup 2 element source may be, for example, 0.05 or more and less than1, preferably 0.08 or more, or 0.1 or more, and preferably 0.8 or less,0.6 or less, or 0.4 or less.

The rare earth element in the metal fluoride may contain at least oneselected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd,Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, preferably Eu. When the raw materialmixture contains the metal fluoride containing a rare earth element, themetal fluoride containing a rare earth element may be a portion of theEu source. Therefore, a portion of the Eu source may be replaced withthe metal fluoride containing a rare earth element.

When a portion of the Eu source is replaced with the metal fluoridecontaining a rare earth element, a ratio of the number of moles of themetal fluoride containing a rare earth element to a molar amount of theEu source is, for example, 0.05 or more and less than 1, preferably 0.08or more, or 0.1 or more, and preferably 0.8 or less, 0.6 or less, or 0.4or less.

The group 4 or group 14 element in the metal fluoride may contain atleast one selected from the group consisting of Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, and Hf.When the raw material mixture contains the metal fluoride containing agroup 4 or group 14 element, the metal fluoride containing a group 4 orgroup 14 element may be a portion of the Si source. Therefore, a portionof the Si source may be replaced with the metal fluoride containing agroup 4 or group 14 element.

When a portion of the Si source is replaced with the metal fluoridecontaining a group 4 or 14 element, a ratio of the number of moles ofthe metal fluoride containing a group 4 or 14 element to a molar amountof the Si source may be, for example, 0.05 or more and less than 1,preferably 0.08 or more, or 0.1 or more, and preferably 0.8 or less, 0.6or less, or 0.4 or less.

The group 13 element in the metal fluoride may contain at least oneselected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, and In, preferably Al.When the raw material mixture contains the metal fluoride containing agroup 13 element, the metal fluoride containing a group 13 element maybe a portion of the Al source. Therefore, a portion of the Al source maybe replaced with the metal fluoride containing a group 13 element.

When a portion of the Al source is replaced with the metal fluoridecontaining a group 13 element, a ratio of the number of moles of themetal fluoride containing a group 13 element to a molar amount of the Alsource is, for example, 0.05 or more and less than 1, preferably 0.08 ormore, or 0.1 or more, and preferably 0.8 or less, 0.6 or less, or 0.4 orless.

The content of the metal fluoride in the raw material mixture is anamount in which a molar content ratio of fluorine atoms to Al is, forexample, 0.01 or more and 0.3 or less, and the molar content ratio ispreferably 0.01 or more and less than 0.3, more preferably 0.015 or moreand 0.2 or less, further preferably 0.02 or more and 0.15 or less, andfurther preferably 0.025 or more and 0.1 or less. By setting the molarcontent ratio to the lower limit value or more, an effect of a flux maysufficiently be obtained. If a certain amount of a flux is contained,the effect of the flux is saturated, and no greater effect may beexpected even if the flux is contained in a larger amount, andtherefore, by setting the content to the upper limit or less, the effectof the flux may be obtained without containing the flux more thannecessary.

The purity of the metal fluoride is, for example, 95 wt % or more,preferably 99 wt % or more. By setting the purity to a predeterminedvalue or more, the influence of impurities may be reduced, and theemission intensity of the phosphor may further be improved. The metalfluoride containing a group 2 element may further contain Li, Na, K, B,Al, etc. The metal fluoride may be purchased and prepared, or a desiredmetal fluoride may be manufactured and prepared.

When the raw material mixture contains the metal fluoride, the rawmaterial mixture may further contain another flux such as a halide inaddition to the metal fluoride. Examples of the halide include rareearths, chlorides such as alkali metals, and fluorides. When the rawmaterial mixture contains the flux, the content thereof is, for example,20 mass % or less, preferably 10 mass % or less, more preferably 1 mass% or less relative to the metal fluoride.

The raw material mixture may further contain a nitride phosphorseparately prepared as needed. When the raw material mixture containsthe nitride phosphor, the content thereof may be, for example, 1 mass %or more and 50 mass % or less in the total amount of the raw materialmixture.

The raw material mixture may be prepared by mixing the group 2 elementsource, the Eu source, the Si source, and the Al source in apredetermined amount ratio. Regarding the mixing ratio of the componentsin the raw material mixture, for example, a ratio of the total molarcontent of the group 2 element and Eu to the molar content of Al may be0.8 or more and 1.1 or less, preferably 0.9 or more and 1.05 or less. Aratio of the molar content of Eu to the molar content of Al may be 0.002or more and 0.08 or less, preferably 0.004 or more and 0.075 or less. Aratio of the molar content of Si to the molar content of Al may be 0.8or more and 1.2 or less, preferably 0.9 or more and 1.1 or less. A ratioof the total molar content of Si and Al to the molar content of Al maybe 1.8 or more and 2.2 or less, preferably 1.9 or more and 2.1 or less.

The mixing ratio of the components in the raw material mixture may beselected so that, for example, s, t, u, v, w, and x in Formula (Ia)satisfy the following requirements specified in Formula (Ia).M^(a) _(s)Sr_(t)Eu_(u)Si_(v)Al_(w)N_(x)  (Ia)

In Formula (Ia), M^(a) is a group 2 element comprising at least oneselected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, and Ba. For s, t, u, v, w,and x, 0<s<1, 0≤t<1, 0.002≤u≤0.08, 0.8≤s+t+u≤1.1, 0.8≤v≤1.2, 0.8≤w≤1.2,1.8≤v+w≤2.2, and 2.5≤x≤3.2 may be satisfied. For s, t, and u,0.94≤s+t+u≤1.10 may be satisfied.

The raw material mixture may be obtained by weighing componentsconstituting the raw material mixture at a desired mixing ratio and thenmixing the components by a mixing method using a ball mill etc., amixing method using a mixer such as a Henschel mixer or a V-typeblender, or a mixing method using a mortar and a pestle. The mixing maybe performed by a dry mixing method or by a wet mixing method by addinga solvent etc.

By heat-treating the obtained raw material mixture in a closed containermade of tungsten, a nitride phosphor capable of exhibiting higheremission intensity may efficiently be manufactured. The closed containerfor heat-treating the raw material mixture may be substantially made oftungsten. The term “substantially” as used herein means that inevitablymixed impurities are not excluded.

The closed container refers to a container capable of preventing solidforeign substances from being mixed in under normal handling,transportation, or storage conditions (e.g., Article 37 of the JapanesePharmacopoeia). The closed container is made up of, for example, acontainer body having an opening portion and a lid sealing the openingportion of the container body and may prevent solids from entering andexiting under heat treatment conditions. The closed container only needsto suppress entry and exit of gas under the heat treatment conditionsand may not completely prevent the gas from entering and exiting. Theshape of the container body of the closed container may have, forexample, a bottom portion and a wall portion surrounding the bottomportion, and an upper portion facing the bottom portion may form theopening portion. The shape of the container body may be, for example,cylindrical, polygonal columnar, square, etc. In the closed containermade of tungsten, at least a portion in contact with the raw materialmixture may substantially be made of tungsten, and preferably, theentire closed container may substantially be made of tungsten.

An amount of the raw material mixture contained in the closed containermay be, for example, 60 vol % or more and 100 vol % or less, preferably75 vol % or more and 99 vol % or less, based on the capacity of theclosed container.

In the method for manufacturing a nitride phosphor, using a closedcontainer made of tungsten may suppress scattering, and reaction withthe firing container, of the group 2 element source (particularly Sr),the Eu source, etc. contained in the raw material mixture during theheat treatment. For example, when a value obtained by subtracting thenumber of moles of Sr (s2) contained in the obtained nitride phosphorfrom the number of moles of Sr (s1) contained in the raw materialmixture is divided by the number of moles of Sr (s1) contained in theraw material mixture and multiplied by 100 to obtain a Sr scatteringrate ((s1−s2)/s1×100; %), the Sr scattering rate may be 6.5% or less,preferably 6.3% or less, or 6.0% or less. When the Sr scattering rate isnot more than a predetermined value, the emission intensity of theobtained nitride phosphor tends to be further improved.

The temperature of the heat treatment may be, for example, 1800° C. orhigher and 2100° C. or lower, preferably 1850° C. or higher, or 1900° C.or higher. The temperature of the heat treatment may be preferably 2080°C. or lower, 2060° C. or lower, or 2000° C. or lower. By performing theheat treatment at a temperature equal to or higher than the lower limit,Eu easily enters a crystal, and a desired nitride phosphor isefficiently formed. When the heat treatment temperature is not more thanthe upper limit value, the decomposition of the formed nitride phosphortends to be suppressed. The heat treatment of the raw material mixturemay be performed by using a gas pressurized electric furnace, forexample.

The atmosphere in the heat treatment of the raw material mixture ispreferably an atmosphere containing nitrogen gas, and more preferably asubstantially nitrogen gas atmosphere. By using the atmospherecontaining nitrogen gas, silicon contained in the raw material may benitrided. Additionally, this may suppress decomposition of raw materialsand phosphors that are nitrides. When the atmosphere of the heattreatment of the raw material mixture contains nitrogen gas, theatmosphere may contain hydrogen, a rare gas such as argon, and othergases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and ammonia, inaddition to the nitrogen gas. The nitrogen gas content in the atmospherefor heat treatment of the raw material mixture is, for example, 90 vol %or more, preferably 95 vol % or more. By setting the content of gascontaining elements other than nitrogen to a predetermined value orless, a decrease in the emission intensity of the phosphor due toformation of impurities from these gas components is suppressed.

The pressure in the heat treatment of the raw material mixture may be,for example, from normal pressure to 200 MPa. From the viewpoint ofsuppressing the decomposition of the generated nitride phosphor, apressure is preferably high and preferably 0.1 MPa or more and 200 MPaor less as a gauge pressure, and 0.6 MPa or more and 1.2 MPa or less ismore preferable due to less restriction on industrial equipment.

The heat treatment of the raw material mixture may be performed at asingle temperature or may be performed in multiple stages including twoor more heat treatment temperatures. When the heat treatment isperformed in multiple stages, for example, a first-stage heat treatmentis performed at 1200° C. or higher and 1600° C. or lower, preferably1300° C. or higher and 1500° C. or lower, and the temperature is thengradually increased to 1800° C. or higher and 2100° C. or lower,preferably 1850° C. or higher and 2050° C. or lower to perform asecond-stage heat treatment. The multistage heat treatment may include,for example, performing a first heat treatment of the raw materialmixture at a temperature of 1200° C. or higher and 1600° C. or lower,preferably 1300° C. or higher and 1500° C. or lower to obtain a firstheat-treated product, and subsequently performing a second heattreatment of the first heat-treated product obtained by lowering thetemperature, at a temperature of 1800° C. or higher and 2100° C. orlower, preferably 1850° C. or higher and 2050° C. or lower to obtain asecond heat-treated product. Furthermore, the multistage heat treatmentmay include performing a cracking treatment, a pulverizing treatment,etc. of the first heat-treated product to obtain a pulverized product.The multi-stage heat treatment tends to provide a nitride phosphorcapable of exhibiting higher emission intensity.

In the heat treatment of the raw material mixture, for example, the heattreatment is performed by raising the temperature from room temperatureto a predetermined temperature. A temperature rising time is, forexample, 1 hour or more and 48 hours or less, preferably 2 hours or moreand 24 hours or less, more preferably 3 hours or more and 20 hours orless. When the temperature rising time is not less than the lower limit,the particle growth of the nitride phosphor tends to sufficientlyproceed, and Eu tends to easily enter the crystal of the nitridephosphor.

The heat treatment of the raw material mixture may include a retentiontime at a predetermined temperature. The retention time is, for example,0.5 hours or more and 48 hours or less, preferably 1 hour or more and 30hours or less, and more preferably 2 hours or more and 20 hours or less.By setting the retention time to the lower limit value or more, uniformparticle growth may further be promoted. By setting the retention timeto the upper limit value or less, the decomposition of the phosphor mayfurther be suppressed.

The temperature lowering time from a predetermined temperature to roomtemperature in the heat treatment of the raw material mixture is, forexample, 0.1 hour or more and 20 hours or less, preferably 1 hour ormore and 15 hours or less, and more preferably 3 hours or more and 12hours or less. It should be noted that a retention time may be set at anappropriately selected temperature while the temperature is lowered fromthe predetermined temperature to room temperature. For example, thisretention time is adjusted so that the emission intensity of the nitridephosphor is further improved. The retention time at a predeterminedtemperature during the temperature decrease is, for example, 0.1 hour ormore and 20 hours or less, preferably 1 hour or more and 10 hours orless. The temperature during the retention time is, for example, 1000°C. or higher and lower than 1800° C., preferably 1200° C. or higher and1700° C. or lower.

After the heat treatment of the raw material mixture, a sizing step maybe included in which the heat-treated product containing the nitridephosphor obtained by the heat treatment is subjected to a combination oftreatments such as cracking, crushing, and classification operation. Apowder having a desired particle diameter may be obtained by the sizingstep. Specifically, after the nitride phosphor is roughly pulverized andmay then be pulverized to a predetermined particle size by using atypical pulverizer such as a ball mill, a jet mill, or a vibration mill.However, excessive pulverization may cause defects on the surfaces ofthe nitride phosphor particles, which may cause a decrease in luminance.Particles having different particle sizes generated by pulverizationexist, classification may be performed to adjust the particle diameter.

A first aspect of the method for manufacturing a nitride phosphor mayinclude performing a first heat treatment of the raw material mixturecontaining the group 2 element source, the Eu source, the Si source, andthe Al source in the closed container made of tungsten at a temperatureof 1200° C. or higher and 1600° C. or lower to obtain a firstheat-treated product, and performing a second heat treatment of thefirst heat-treated product in the closed container made of tungsten at atemperature of 1800° C. or higher and 2100° C. or lower to obtain asecond heat-treated product.

A second aspect of the method for manufacturing a nitride phosphor mayinclude performing a heat treatment of the raw material mixturecontaining the group 2 element source, the Eu source, the Si source, theAl source, and the metal fluoride in the closed container made oftungsten at a temperature of 1800° C. or higher and 2100° C. or lower toobtain a heat-treated product.

A third aspect of the method for manufacturing a nitride phosphor mayinclude performing a third heat treatment of the raw material mixturecontaining the group 2 element source, the Eu source, the Si source, theAl source, and the metal fluoride in the closed container made oftungsten at a temperature of 1200° C. or higher and 1600° C. or lower toobtain a third heat-treated product, and performing a fourth heattreatment of the third heat-treated product in the closed container madeof tungsten at a temperature of 1800° C. or higher and 2100° C. or lowerto obtain a fourth heat-treated product.

Light Emitting Device

An aspect of a light emitting device includes a fluorescent membercontaining the nitride phosphor described above and a light emittingelement having a peak emission wavelength within a range of 365 nm ormore and 500 nm or less. A light emitting device 100 according to thisembodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 . Thelight emitting device 100 is an example of a surface mount lightemitting device. The light emitting device 100 includes a light emittingelement 10 of a gallium nitride-based compound semiconductor having apeak emission wavelength in a range of 380 nm or more and 470 nm orless, and a molded body 40 on which the light emitting element 10 isplaced. The molded body 40 is formed by integrally molding a first lead20, a second lead 30, and a resin portion 42. The molded body 40 forms arecess having a bottom surface and a side surface, and the lightemitting element 10 is placed on a bottom surface of the recess. Thelight emitting element 10 has a pair of positive and negativeelectrodes, and the pair of positive and negative electrodes iselectrically connected to the first lead 20 and the second lead 30 viawires 60. The light emitting element 10 is covered by a fluorescentmember 50. For example, the fluorescent member 50 contains a firstphosphor 71 and a second phosphor 72 as a phosphor 70 converting awavelength of light from the light emitting element 10, and a resin.

The peak emission wavelength of the light emitting element 10 ispreferably in a range of 380 nm or more and 470 nm or less, andpreferably in a range of 400 nm or more and 460 nm or less. By using thelight emitting element 10 having a peak emission wavelength within thisrange as an excitation light source, the light emitting device 100emitting a mixed color light of a light from the light emitting element10 and a fluorescence from the phosphor 70 may be formed. Furthermore,since a portion of the light radiated from the light emitting element 10may effectively be used as a portion of the light radiated from thelight emitting device to the outside, the light emitting device 100having high luminous efficiency may be obtained.

A half-value width of the emission spectrum of the light emittingelement 10 may be 30 nm or less, for example. For example, asemiconductor light emitting element using a nitride-based semiconductoris preferably used as the light emitting element 10. Using asemiconductor light emitting element as an excitation light source mayprovide a stable light emitting device having high efficiency, highlinearity of output with respect to input, and resistance to mechanicalimpact.

The fluorescent member 50 includes at least the first phosphor 71 andmay contain other phosphors, resins, etc., as needed. The details of thenitride phosphor contained in the first phosphor 71 are as describedabove, and a preferable form is also the same.

The fluorescent member 50 may include a second phosphor 72 in additionto the first phosphor 71. Since the fluorescent member 50 includes thesecond phosphor 72, the light emitting device 100 emitting a mixed colorlight of the light emitting element 10 as well as the first phosphor 71and the second phosphor 72 may be formed.

The second phosphor 72 may be a phosphor having a compositionrepresented by any of Formulae (IIa) to (IIi) below, preferably, atleast one phosphor having a composition represented by a formulaselected from the group consisting of these formulae is included; andmore preferably, at least one phosphor having a composition representedby Formula (IIa), (IIb), (IIc), (IId), (IIe), (IIg), (IIh), or (IIi) isincluded. This is because a light emitting device having high colorrendering properties and high luminous efficiency may be obtained byincluding these second phosphors. The light emitting device may includeonly one type, or a combination of two or more types, of the secondphosphor 72.(Y,Gd,Tb,Lu)₃(Al,Ga)₅O₁₂:Ce  (IIa)(Ca,Sr,Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu  (IIb)Si_(6-p)Al_(p)O_(p)N_(8-p):Eu(0<p≤4.2)  (IIc)(Ca,Sr)₈MgSi₄O₁₆(F,Cl,Br)₂:Eu  (IId)(La,Y,Gd,Lu)₃Si₆Nu:Ce  (IIe)(Ca,Sr,Ba)Ga₂S₄:Eu  (IIf)(Ca,Sr,Ba)₂Si₆N₁₁:Eu  (IIg)(Ca,Sr,Ba)LiAl₃N₄:Eu  (IIh)(Ca,Sr,Ba)₁₀(PO₄)₆(F,Cl,Br)₂:Eu  (IIi)

In the formula representing the composition of the phosphor, elementsconstituting a parent crystal and a molar ratio thereof are representedbefore a colon (:), and an activating element is represented after thecolon (:). In the formula representing the composition of the phosphor,multiple elements separated by commas (,) represents that at least oneelement among these multiple elements is contained in the compositionand that two or more of the elements may be combined and contained.

The second phosphor 72 may be a phosphor having a compositionrepresented by any of Formulae (IIj) and (Ilk) below, and preferably, atleast one phosphor having a composition represented by a formulaselected from the group consisting of these formulae is included. Thisis more preferable because a light emitting device having high colorrendering properties and high luminous efficiency may be obtained byincluding these second phosphors.A¹ _(c)[M¹ _(1-b)Mn_(b)F_(d)]  (IIj)A² _(f)[M² _(1-e)Mn_(e)F_(g)]  (Ilk)

In Formula (IIj), A¹ comprises at least one selected from the groupconsisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs. M¹ comprises at least one of Si andGe and may further comprise at least one element selected from the groupconsisting of a group 4 element and a group 14 element. In the formula,b satisfies 0<b<0.2, c is an absolute value of charge of the [M²_(1-b)Mn_(b)F_(d)] ion, and d satisfies 5<d<7.

In Formula (IIk), A² comprises at least one selected from the groupconsisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs. M² comprises at least Si and Al andmay further comprise at least one element selected from the groupconsisting of a group 4 element, a group 13 element, and a group 14element. In the formula, e satisfies 0<e<0.2, f is an absolute value ofcharge of the [M² _(1-e)Mn_(e)F_(g)] ion, and g satisfies 5<g<7.

The average particle diameter of the second phosphor 72 is, for example,2 μm or more and 35 μm or less, preferably 5 μm or more and 30 μm orless. When the average particle diameter of the second phosphor 72 isnot less than the lower limit value, an absorption rate of light from anexcitation light source is increased, and light emission having adesired chromaticity may be obtained with higher emission intensity.When the average particle diameter of the second phosphor 72 is not morethan the upper limit value, workability may be improved in amanufacturing step of the light emitting device 100 when the secondphosphor 72 is contained in the fluorescent member 50 of the lightemitting device 100.

The fluorescent member 50 may contain at least one type of resin inaddition to the first phosphor 71. Examples of the resin include epoxyresin and silicone resin.

The fluorescent member 50 may contain other components in addition tothe first phosphor 71 as needed. Examples of other components includefillers such as silica, barium titanate, titanium oxide, and aluminumoxide, light stabilizers, and colorants. When the fluorescent member 50contains other components, for example, when the fluorescent member 50contains a filler as the other component, the content thereof may be0.01 to 20 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the resin.

Another configuration example of the light emitting device will bedescribed with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a schematicconfiguration diagram showing an example of the configuration of thelight emitting device. A light emitting device 200 includes a lightemitting element 210, an incident optical system 220, and a wavelengthconversion member 250. The wavelength conversion member 250 includes asupport 254 and a wavelength conversion layer 252 arranged on thesupport 254 and including a phosphor layer 280 containing a phosphor 270and a light transmission layer 282 containing a resin 276. The lightemitted from the light emitting element 210 passes through the incidentoptical system 220, enters from the support 254 side of the wavelengthconversion member 250, and passes through the phosphor layer 280including the phosphor 270 so that at least a portion of incident lightis wavelength-converted by the phosphor 270. Alternatively, both thewavelength-converted light and the rest of the incident light notwavelength-converted are emitted from the wavelength conversion member250. In this case, the light emitted by the light emitting device 200 isa mixed color light of the light from the light emitting element 210 andthe wavelength-converted light.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of theconfiguration of the light emitting device. The light emitting device210 includes the light emitting element 210, the incident optical system220, and the wavelength conversion member 250. The wavelength conversionmember 250 includes the support 254 and the wavelength conversion layer252 arranged on the support 254 and having the phosphor layer 280containing the phosphor 270 and the light transmission layer 282containing the resin 276 laminated in this order. The light emitted fromthe light emitting element 210 passes through the incident opticalsystem 220, enters from the wavelength conversion layer 252 side of thewavelength conversion member 250, and passes through the wavelengthconversion layer 252, and the reflected light is emitted from thewavelength conversion layer 252. At least a portion of the light passingthrough the wavelength conversion layer 252 is wavelength-converted bythe phosphor 270. Alternatively, both the wavelength-converted light andthe rest of the incident light not wavelength-converted are emitted fromthe wavelength conversion member 250. In this case, the light emitted bythe light emitting device 210 is a mixed color light of the light fromthe light emitting element 210 and the wavelength-converted light.

Wavelength Conversion Member

The wavelength conversion member includes a support and a phosphor layerarranged on the support and containing a phosphor. The wavelengthconversion member may be combined with a light emitting element to forma light emitting device. Containing the nitride phosphor described aboveas the phosphor makes it possible to exhibit emission characteristicswith excellent linearity in which the emission intensity of the outputlight increases in proportion to the output of the light emittingelement, so that the emission characteristics are excellent.

An example of the wavelength conversion member is schematically shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B. FIG. 9A is a schematic plan view of the wavelengthconversion member 250 as viewed from a principal surface. FIG. 9B is aschematic side view and a partially enlarged view of the wavelengthconversion member 250 as viewed from a side surface. As shown in FIG.9A, the wavelength conversion layer 252 is arranged along thecircumference of the disk-shaped support 254. As shown in FIG. 1B, thefluorescence layer 280 containing the phosphor 270 and the lighttransmission layer 282 containing the resin 276 are laminated in thisorder on one of the principal surfaces of the support 254 so that thewavelength conversion layer 252 is arranged.

The output of the light emitting element may be, for example, 0.5 W/mm²or more, preferably 5 W/mm² or more, or 10 W/mm² or more, as a powerdensity of light incident on the wavelength conversion member. An upperlimit of output of the light emitting element may be, for example, 1000W/mm² or less, preferably 500 W/mm² or less, or 150 W/mm² or less. Whenthe output of the light emitting element is within the range, thewavelength conversion member is more excellent in linearitycorresponding to the output of the light emitting element.

Light Source Device for Projector

A light source device for a projector is configured to include the lightemitting device. by including the light emitting device having excellentlight emitting characteristics at high output, a high-output projectormay be configured.

The light emitting device including the nitride phosphor of the presentdisclosure may be used not only as a light source device for aprojector, but also as a light emitting device included in a lightsource of, for example, general lighting devices such as ceiling lights,special lighting devices such as spotlights, stadium lightings, andstudio lightings, vehicle lighting devices such as head lamps,projection devices such as head-up displays, lights for endoscopes,digital cameras, image pickup devices of mobile phones and smartphones,monitors for personal computers (PCs), notebook personal computers,televisions, mobile information terminals (PDXs), liquid crystal displaydevices of smartphones, tablet PCs, and mobile phones.

The wavelength conversion member constituting the light emitting deviceincludes at least one of the nitride phosphors as the phosphor. Inaddition to the nitride phosphor described above, the wavelengthconversion member may further contain another phosphor having aconfiguration different from the nitride phosphor described above.Specific examples of the other phosphor include Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce, (La,Y)₃Si₆N₁₁:Ce, (Ca, Sr) AlSiN₃:Ce, etc.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will hereinafter specifically be described withreference to Examples; however, the present invention is not limited tothese Examples.

Example 1

Ca₃N₂, SrNx (x=2/3), AlN, Si₃N₄, and EuN were used as raw materials andwere weighed and mixed in a glove box having an inert atmosphere at amolar ratio as a charging amount ratio ofSr:Ca:Eu:Al:Si=0.964:0.030:0.006:1:1 to obtain a raw material mixture.The raw material mixture was filled in a tungsten crucible, covered witha lid, and sealed. A first-stage heat treatment was performed in anitrogen gas atmosphere under the conditions of a gauge pressure of 0.92MPa, a heat treatment temperature of 1400° C., and a retention time of 3hours to obtain a precursor. The precursor was pulverized and therebyhomogenized in a glove box in an inert atmosphere, and is filled in atungsten crucible, covered with a lid, and sealed. A second-stage heattreatment was performed in a nitrogen gas atmosphere with a gaugepressure of 0.92 MPa, a heat treatment temperature of 1950° C., and aretention time of 15 hours. Subsequently, pulverization, dispersion, andclassification treatments were performed to obtain a nitride phosphor ofExample 1.

Comparative Example 1

A nitride phosphor of Comparative Example 1 was obtained as in Example 1except that the Ca source in the raw material was changed to CaF₂, thata boron nitride crucible was used instead of the tungsten crucible, andthat the beat treatment was performed only once under the conditions ofthe heat treatment temperature of 2050° C. and the retention time of 0.5hours.

Comparative Example 2

A nitride phosphor of Comparative Example 2 was obtained as in Example 1except that the heat treatment was performed only once under theconditions of the heat treatment temperature of 1950° C. and theretention time of 15 hours.

Example 2

A nitride phosphor of Example 2 was obtained as in Example 1 except thatthe molar ratio of the raw materials as the charging amount ratio wasSr:Ca:Eu:Al:Si=0.937:0.049:0.014:1:1.

Comparative Example 3

The nitride phosphor of Comparative Example 3 was obtained as in Example2 except that the Ca source in the raw material was changed to a mixturehaving a Ca molar ratio of Ca₃N₂:CaF₂=0.019:0.03, that a boron nitridecrucible was used instead of the tungsten crucible, and that the heattreatment was performed only once under the conditions of the heattreatment temperature of 2050° C. and the retention time of 0.5 hours.

Comparative Example 4

The nitride phosphor of Comparative Example 4 was obtained as in Example2 except that the heat treatment was performed only once under theconditions of the heat treatment temperature of 1950° C. and theretention time of 15 hours.

Example 3

The nitride phosphor of Example 3 was obtained as in Example 2 exceptthat the Ca source in the raw material was changed to a mixture having aCa molar ratio of Ca₃N₂:CaF₂=0.034:0.015 and that the heat treatment wasperformed only once under the conditions of the heat treatmenttemperature of 1950° C. and the retention time of 15 hours.

Example 4

The nitride phosphor of Example 4 was obtained as in Example 1 exceptthat the molar ratio of the raw materials as the charging amount ratiowas Sr:Ca:Eu:Al:Si=0.926:0.049:0.025:1:1, that the Ca source in the rawmaterial was changed to a mixture having a molar ratio ofCa₃N₂:CaF₂=0.034:0.015, and that the heat treatment was performed onlyonce under the conditions of the heat treatment temperature of 1950° C.and the retention time of 15 hours.

Example 5

The nitride phosphor of Example 4 was obtained as in Example 1 exceptthat the molar ratio of the raw materials as the charging amount ratiowas Sr:Ca:Eu:Al:Si—0.882:0.098:0.02:1:1, that the Ca source in the rawmaterial was changed to a mixture having a molar ratio ofCa₃N₂:CaF₂=0.083:0.015, and that the heat treatment was performed onlyonce under the conditions of the heat treatment temperature of 1950° C.and the retention time of 15 hours.

Comparative Example 5

The nitride phosphor of Comparative Example 5 was obtained as in Example5 except that the Ca source in the raw material was changed to a mixturehaving a Ca molar ratio of Ca₃N₂:CaF₂=0.069:0.029, that a boron nitridecrucible was used instead of the tungsten crucible, and that the heattreatment was performed only once under the conditions of the heattreatment temperature of 2050° C. and the retention time of 0.5 hours.

Example 6

The nitride phosphor of Example 6 was obtained as in Example 1 exceptthat the molar ratio of the raw materials as the charging amount ratiowas Sr:Ca:Eu:Al:Si=0.965:0.03:0.005:1:1 and that the Ca source in theraw material was changed to a mixture having a molar ratio ofCa₃N₂:CaF₂=0.009:0.021.

Example 7

The nitride phosphor of Example 7 was obtained as in Example 1 exceptthat the molar ratio of the raw materials as the charging amount ratiowas Sr:Ca:Eu:Al:Si=0.698:0.299:0.003:1:1 and that the Ca source in theraw material was changed to a mixture having a molar ratio ofCa₃N₂:CaF₂=0.284:0.015, and that the heat treatment was performed onlyonce under the conditions of the heat treatment temperature of 1950° C.and the retention time of 15 hours.

Comparative Example 6

The nitride phosphor of Comparative Example 6 was obtained as in Example6 except that the molar ratio of the raw materials as the chargingamount ratio was Sr:Ca:Eu:Al:Si=0.697:0.299:0.004:1:1, that a boronnitride crucible was used instead of the tungsten crucible, and that theheat treatment was performed only once under the conditions of the heattreatment temperature of 2050° C. and the retention time of 0.5 hours.

Example 8

The nitride phosphor of Example 4 was obtained as in Example 1 exceptthat the molar ratio of the raw materials as the charging amount ratiowas Sr:Ca:Eu:Al:Si=0.598:0.399:0.015:1:1, that the Ca source in the rawmaterial was changed to a mixture having a molar ratio ofCa₃N₂:CaF₂=0.384:0.015, and that the heat treatment was performed onlyonce under the conditions of the heat treatment temperature of 1950° C.and the retention time of 15 hours.

Evaluation

Composition Analysis

The nitride phosphors obtained as described above were subjected tocomposition analysis by an ICP-AES device (manufactured by Perkin Elmer)and an ion chromatography system (manufactured by Thermo FisherScientific/formerly Nippon Dionex). A molar content ratio of eachelement was calculated when Al contained in the composition was 1 mol.The results are shown in Table 1.

Sr Scattering Rate

A value obtained by subtracting the molar amount of Sr (s2) in thecomposition analysis value from the molar amount of Sr (s1) in thecharging molar ratio was divided by the molar amount of Sr(s1) in thecharging molar ratio and multiplied by 100 to obtain a Sr scatteringrate ((s1−s2)/s1×100; %). The results are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Sr Composition analysis (mole ratio) scattering Charging amountratio Ca Sr + Ca + rate Sr Ca Eu Si Al source Sr Ca Eu Si Al Eu (%)Example 1 0.964 0.030 0.006 1 1 Ca₃N₂ 0.922 0.031 0.006 1.00 1 0.959 4.4Example 6 0.965 0.030 0.005 1 1 Ca₃N₂ + 0.912 0.031 0.005 1.01 1 0.9485.6 CaF₂ Comparative 0.964 0.030 0.006 1 1 CaF₂ 0.891 0.034 0.007 1.02 10.932 7.5 Example 1 Comparative 0.964 0.030 0.006 1 1 Ca₃N₂ 0.918 0.0320.006 1.01 1 0.955 4.8 Example 2 Example 2 0.937 0.049 0.014 1 1 Ca₃N₂0.887 0.049 0.014 1.00 1 0.950 5.3 Comparative 0.937 0.049 0.014 1 1Ca₃N₂ + 0.871 0.053 0.014 1.02 1 0.938 7.1 Example 3 CaF₂ Comparative0.937 0.049 0.014 1 1 Ca₃N₂ 0.885 0.049 0.014 0.98 1 0.948 5.6 Example 4Example 3 0.937 0.049 0.014 1 1 Ca₃N₂ + 0.881 0.057 0.014 1.00 1 0.9535.9 CaF₂ Example 4 0.926 0.049 0.025 1 1 Ca₃N₂ + 0.874 0.050 0.024 1.001 0.948 5.6 CaF₂ Example 5 0.882 0.098 0.020 1 1 Ca₃N₂ + 0.844 0.0980.020 1.02 1 0.963 4.3 CaF₂ Comparative 0.882 0.098 0.020 1 1 Ca₃N₂ +0.816 0.102 0.021 1.02 1 0.939 7.5 Example 5 CaF₂ Example 7 0.698 0.2990.003 1 1 Ca₃N₂ + 0.666 0.298 0.003 1.00 1 0.968 4.5 CaF₂ Comparative0.597 0.299 0.004 1 1 Ca₃N₂ + 0.605 0.323 0.004 1.08 1 0.932 13.2Example 6 CaF₂ Example 8 0.598 0.399 0.003 1 1 Ca₃N₂ + 0.571 0.397 0.0031.01 1 0.972 4.4 CaF₂X-Ray Diffraction Pattern Measurement

For the nitride phosphors obtained as described above, an X-raydiffraction (XRD) pattern was measured by using Ultima IV manufacturedby Rigaku Corporation under measurement conditions of a diffractionwidth of 0.005°, a scanning speed of 0.5°/min, and a rotation of 1 rpm.A CuKα ray (wavelength: 1.54184 Å) was used as an X-ray source. Puresilicon (purity 99.9%, manufactured by Kojundo Chemical) was used as astandard sample so as to accurately identify a peak position. A firstpeak in a range of 2θ of 17° or more and 19° or less and a second peakin a range of 2θ of 34° or more and 35.5° or less were specified from anobtained XRD pattern, and respective peak intensities were obtained tocalculate an intensity ratio (I²/I¹) of the second peak to the firstpeak. The half-value width of the second peak was obtained from the XRDpattern. The results are shown in Table 2. The XRD patterns of thenitride phosphors of Examples and Comparative Examples are shown inFIGS. 4 to 6 .

Powder Emission Characteristics

Emission characteristics of powders of the nitride phosphors weremeasured by a quantum efficiency measuring device: QE-2000 (manufacturedby Otsuka Electronics) with the wavelength of excitation light set to450 nm. For the nitride phosphors of Example 1, Example 6, andComparative Example 2, relative emission intensity (relative ENG: %) wasobtained by using the emission intensity of the nitride phosphor ofComparative Example 1 as 100%. For the nitride phosphors of Examples 2and 3 and Comparative Example 4, relative emission intensity (relativeENG: %) was obtained by using the emission intensity of the nitridephosphor of Comparative Example 3 as 100%. For the nitride phosphors ofExamples 4 and 5, relative emission intensity (relative ENG: %) wasobtained by using the emission intensity of the nitride phosphor ofComparative Example 5 as 100%. For the nitride phosphors of Examples 7and 8, relative emission intensity (relative ENG: %) was obtained byusing the emission intensity of the nitride phosphor of ComparativeExample 6 as 100%. The results are shown in Table 2.

LED Emission Characteristics

By combining the fluorescent member 50 including the phosphor 70obtained by combining the nitride phosphors obtained in Examples 1 to 6and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 serving as the first phosphor 71 with aphosphor having a composition of Y₃(Al, Ga)₅O₁₂:Ce serving as the secondphosphor 72 such that chromaticity coordinates (x,y) of emission colorare around x=0.435 and y=0.404 (at the color temperature around 3000K)and a resin, with the light emitting element 10 that is an LED having apeak emission wavelength of 455 nm, the light emitting device 100 wasproduced by a conventional method. A luminous flux was measured for theobtained light emitting device 100. The luminous flux of the lightemitting device 100 was measured by using an integral total luminousflux measuring device. For the light emitting devices obtained by usingthe nitride phosphors of the nitride phosphors of Example 1, Example 6,and Comparative Example 2, a relative luminous flux (relative φe) wasobtained by using the luminous flux of the light emitting deviceobtained by using the nitride phosphor of Comparative Example 1 as 100%.For the light emitting devices obtained by using the nitride phosphorsof Examples 2 and 3 and Comparative Example 4, the relative luminousflux (relative φe) was calculated by using the luminous flux of thelight emitting device obtained by using the nitride phosphor ofComparative Example 3 as 100%. For the light emitting devices obtainedby using the nitride phosphors of the nitride phosphors of Examples 4and 5, the relative luminous flux (relative φe) was calculated by usingthe luminous flux of the light emitting device obtained by using thenitride phosphor of Comparative Example 5 as 100%. The results are shownin Table 2.

TABLE 2 Second peak Powder First peak Half- Peak Relative Relative valueemission LED intensity 2θ intensity 2θ width wavelength RelativeRelative (I¹) (°) (I²) (°) (°) I²/I¹ (nm) ENG φe Example 1 24.6 18.175.2 34.7 0.0955 3.1 613 103.6 100.4 Example 6 11.5 18.0 63.0 34.70.0983 5.5 611 105.1 101.8 Comparative 46.2 18.1 18.5 34.7 0.1000 0.4613 100.0 100.0 Example 1 Comparative 39.9 18.1 35.4 34.7 0.0946 0.9 612101.3 100.0 Example 2 Example 2 21.8 18.1 71.4 34.7 0.0976 3.3 622 101.7100.3 Comparative 48.8 18.1 32.9 34.8 0.1134 0.7 620 100.0 100.0 Example3 Comparative 37.6 18.1 70.1 34.7 0.1005 1.9 621 99.7 100.0 Example 4Example 3 24.3 18.1 102.8 34.8 0.0974 4.2 623 107.8 100.3 Example 4 16.018.1 58.0 34.7 0.0987 3.6 629 105.5 101.6 Example 5 11.5 18.1 59.0 34.80.0987 5.1 629 101.0 100.2 Comparative 20.2 18.1 59.2 34.8 0.1276 2.9629 100.0 100.0 Example 5 Example 7 18.8 18.1 32.8 34.9 0.0946 1.7 629104.8 — Comparative 10.6 18.1 45.1 35.0 0.1908 4.3 631 100.0 — Example 6Example 8 8.1 18.1 23.0 34.9 0.0980 2.8 632 104.9 —

As shown in Table 2, the nitride phosphors of Examples 1 and 6 hadhigher emission intensities than the nitride phosphors of ComparativeExamples 1 and 2 so that the luminous flux became higher in the lightemitting device. The nitride phosphors of Examples 2 and 3 had higheremission intensities than the nitride phosphors of Comparative Example 3so that the luminous flux became higher in the light emitting device.The nitride phosphors of Examples 4 and 5 had higher emissionintensities than the nitride phosphors of Comparative Example 5 so thatthe luminous flux became higher in the light emitting device.

LD Emission Characteristics

By using the nitride phosphors obtained in Examples 7, 8 and ComparativeExample 6, a wavelength conversion member as shown in FIG. 9A wasproduced as follows, and the emission intensity thereof was evaluated. Aphosphor paste was prepared by mixing 100 parts by mass of a siliconeresin serving as a binder and 167 parts by mass of the nitride phosphor.A metal member made of aluminum and having a plate shape and a diskshape in a planar view from the principal surface side was used as asupport. A wavelength conversion layer was formed by arranging thefluorescent paste in an annular shape with a predetermined width alongthe circumference of the metal member by a printing method on one of theprincipal surfaces of the support. As a result, the wavelengthconversion member was obtained. Table 3 shows the thickness of thephosphor layer of the obtained wavelength conversion member.

The emission intensity of the obtained wavelength conversion member wasmeasured as follows. The disk-shaped wavelength conversion member wasfixed to a drive device, and the light emission characteristics weremeasured while the member is rotated at a rotation speed of 7200 rpm. Alaser diode (LD) having a peak emission wavelength of 455 nm wasprepared as an excitation light source for the wavelength conversionmember, and the output density (W/mm²) of the laser diode was changedstepwise as shown in Table 3 below to measure the emission intensity ofemitted light from the wavelength conversion member at each outputdensity in the wavelength range of 590 nm or more and 800 nm or less.The emission intensity was measured by using a Si photodiodemanufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics and is shown in Table 3 as therelative emission intensity (relative Po %) based on the emissionintensity of the wavelength conversion member using the nitride phosphorobtained in Comparative Example 6 used as a reference (100%).

TABLE 3 Phosphor layer thickness LD output density (W/mm²) (μm) 8 49 92132 Comparative 113 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Example 6 Example 7 110108.9 109.6 113.0 113.8 Example 8 112 109.8 110.9 114.5 115.5Scanning Electron Microscope Observation

The nitride phosphors obtained in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1were observed by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). A SEM imageof the nitride phosphor of Example 1 is shown in FIG. 2 , and a SEMimage of the nitride phosphor of Comparative Example 1 is shown in FIG.3 .

In the nitride phosphor of Example 1, many rod-shaped particles areseen. On the other hand, in the nitride phosphor of Comparative Example1, many plate-shaped particles are seen. In Examples, as compared tocomparative examples, the peak intensity ratio of the second peak to thefirst peak is larger and the many rod-shaped particles are observedprovably because when the nitride phosphor is obtained by heattreatment, the reaction of Sr contained in the raw material mixture withthe material of the crucible and the scattering of Sr from the crucibleare reduced, and Sr is distributed in the raw material mixture withlittle unevenness and reacts with the other raw materials almostuniformly. Furthermore, the raw materials react almost uniformlyprovably because the first-stage and second-stage heat treatments areperformed and the fluoride is contained in the raw material mixture. IfSr contained in the raw material mixture reacts with the material of thecrucible or Sr scatters from the crucible, Sr is unevenly present in theraw material mixture, it becomes difficult to react uniformly with theother raw materials, so that the composition of the nitride phosphor maycontain many defects. When the composition of the nitride phosphorcontains many defects, many plate-shaped particles tend to be formed,and the emission intensity probably decreases in the powder containingmany plate-shaped particles serving as the nitride phosphor. On theother hand, when the scattering of Sr is reduced, the composition of thenitride phosphor becomes closer to the charged value (theoreticalvalue), and a nitride phosphor having a composition with less defectstends to be obtained. Therefore, it is considered that the emissionintensity of the nitride phosphor was increased and the luminous flux ofthe light emitting device using the nitride phosphor was increased inExamples with reduced scattering of Sr.

The light emitting device using the nitride phosphor of the presentdisclosure can suitably be used as a light source for lighting etc.Particularly, the light emitting device can suitably be used for a lightsource for lighting, an LED display, a backlight source for liquidcrystal, traffic lights, a lighting switch, various sensors, variousindicators, etc., using a light emitting diode as an excitation lightsource and having extremely excellent light emission characteristics.

It is to be understood that although the present invention has beendescribed with regard to preferred embodiments thereof, various otherembodiments and variants may occur to those skilled in the art, whichare within the scope and spirit of the invention, and such otherembodiments and variants are intended to be covered by the followingclaims.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference toseveral exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the wordsthat have been used are words of description and illustration, ratherthan words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of theappended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the disclosure in its aspects. Although thedisclosure has been described with reference to particular examples,means, and embodiments, the disclosure may be not intended to be limitedto the particulars disclosed; rather the disclosure extends to allfunctionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are withinthe scope of the appended claims.

One or more examples or embodiments of the disclosure may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “disclosure”merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit thescope of this application to any particular disclosure or inventiveconcept. Moreover, although specific examples and embodiments have beenillustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anysubsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purposemay be substituted for the specific examples or embodiments shown. Thisdisclosure may be intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptationsor variations of various examples and embodiments. Combinations of theabove examples and embodiments, and other examples and embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features maybe grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purposeof streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure may be not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodimentsrequire more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may bedirected to less than all of the features of any of the disclosedembodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into theDetailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as definingseparately claimed subject matter.

The above disclosed subject matter shall be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximumextent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure may bedetermined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the followingclaims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited bythe foregoing detailed description.

All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentionedin this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each individual publication, patent application, ortechnical standard was specifically and individually indicated to beincorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A nitride phosphor having a compositioncontaining Eu, Si, Al, N, and a group 2 element comprising at least oneselected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba, wherein in thecomposition, a ratio of a total molar content of the group 2 element andEu to a molar content of Al is 0.8 or more and 1.1 or less, a molarratio of Eu is 0.002 or more and 0.08 or less, a molar ratio of Si is0.8 or more and 1.2 or less, and a total molar ratio of Si and Al is 1.8or more and 2.2 or less, wherein the nitride phosphor has a first peakin a range of 17° 2θ or more and 19° 2θ or less and a second peak in arange of 20 is 34° 2θ or more and 35.5° 2θ or less in a powder X-raydiffraction pattern measured by using a CuKα ray, wherein an intensityratio of the second peak to the first peak is 1 or more and 6 or less,and wherein a half-value width of the second peak is 0.09° 2θ or moreand less than 0.1° 2θ.
 2. The nitride phosphor according to claim 1,having a composition represented by Formula (I):M^(a) _(s)Sr_(t)Eu_(u)Si_(v)Al_(w)N_(x),  (I) wherein, in Formula (I),M^(a) is the group 2 element comprising at least one selected from thegroup consisting of Mg, Ca, and Ba, and s, t, u, v, w, and x satisfy0<s<1, 0≤t<1, 0.002≤u≤0.08, 0.8≤s+t+u≤1.1, 0.8≤v≤1.2, 0.8≤w≤1.2,1.8≤v+w≤2.2, 2.5≤x≤3.2.
 3. The nitride phosphor according to claim 2,wherein, in Formula (I), s, t, and u satisfy 0.94≤s+t+u≤1.10.
 4. A lightemitting device comprising: a fluorescent member containing the nitridephosphor according to claim 1; and a light emitting element having apeak emission wavelength in a range of 365 nm or more and 500 nm orless.
 5. The light emitting device according to claim 4, wherein thefluorescent member further comprises at least one selected from thegroup consisting of phosphors having a composition represented by any ofthe following formulae:(Y,Gd,Tb,Lu)₃(Al,Ga)₅O₁₂:Ce  (IIa)(Ca,Sr,Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu  (IIb)Si_(6-p)Al_(p)O_(p)N_(8-p):Eu(0<p≤4.2)  (IIc)(Ca,Sr)₈MgSi₄O₁₆(F,Cl,Br)₂:Eu  (IId)(La,Y,Gd,Lu)₃Si₆N₁₁:Ce  (IIe)(Ca,Sr,Ba)₂Si₅N₈:Eu  (IIg)(Ca,Sr,Ba)LiAl₃N₄:Eu  (IIh)(Ca,Sr,Ba)₁₀(PO₄)₆(F,Cl,Br)₂:Eu  (IIi)
 6. The light emitting deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein the fluorescent member further comprisesat least one selected from the group consisting of phosphors having acomposition represented by any of the following formulae:A¹ _(c)[M¹ _(1-b)Mn_(b)F_(d)],  (IIj) wherein, in Formula (IIj), A¹comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K,Rb, and Cs; M¹ comprises at least one of Si and Ge and optionally atleast one element selected from the group consisting of a group 4element and a group 14 element, b satisfies 0<b<0.2, c is an absolutevalue of charge of the [M¹ _(1-b)Mn_(b)F_(d)] ion, and d satisfies5<d<7; andA² _(f)[M² _(1-e)Mn_(e)F_(g)],  (Ilk) wherein, in Formula (k), A²comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K,Rb, and Cs; M² comprises at least Si and Al and optionally at least oneelement selected from the group consisting of a group 4 element, a group13 element, and a group 14 element, e satisfies 0<e<0.2, f is anabsolute value of charge of the [M² _(1-e)Mn_(e)F_(g)] ion, and gsatisfies 5<g<7.